Leeds Rhinos and Checkatrade host inaugural Skills Summit

Checkatrade and Leeds Rhinos hosted a Skills Summit at AMT Headingley Stadium to tackle one of the country's most urgent challenges: the million 16–24 year-olds that are not in education, employment or training (NEET). 

Coinciding with Youth Employment Week, the Summit will convene national and local leaders, policymakers, industry and young people at the iconic venue to explore real solutions, putting a spotlight on NEETs and youth unemployment in the North and across the UK. 

Participants will include DWP Ministers and other parliamentarians, the Mayor of West Yorkshire Tracy Brabin, industry, think tanks, apprentices and further education providers.

The day’s focus will be on exploring the challenges facing the trade sector, the scale of the NEETs crisis, and the role of industry partnerships in driving change.

The Summit comes as Checkatrade publishes the first findings from its new Backing Britain’s Tradespeople report. The research captures both the scale of the opportunity and the obstacles in its way: nearly half (48%) of young people are now considering a career as a plumber, builder or electrician, yet just 12% of trade businesses took on an apprentice in the last year - laying bare the gap between the young people who want in and the businesses ready to train them.

Youth Guarantee Announcement

Checkatrade will also reveal details of its new package of support to encourage more young people into trade careers, ‘Trade Jumpstart’, delivered in line with the Government’s Youth Guarantee.

Beginning with Leeds College of Building, Checkatrade aims to partner with Construction Technical Excellence Colleges (CTECs) nationwide. Graduating learners will receive support to help launch their trade business, including a year’s free Checkatrade Approved membership, with its vetting checks reassuring homeowners the new trades are trustworthy, alongside 12 months’ free access to TradeMore Pro, Checkatrade’s AI-powered job management platform, plus discounted business banking, workwear and other benefits through partner platforms.

In addition, to help businesses hire apprentices, Checkatrade plans to work with Build UK, CITB and others on the Construction Apprentice Network - a nationwide matching service connecting employers with candidates. It will also look to transfer unused Growth & Skills Levy funding to eligible trade employers, encourage other organisations to do the same, and raise awareness of Levy transfer opportunities.

Jambu Palaniappan, CEO of Checkatrade, said: “Hosting this Summit with Leeds Rhinos is a source of pride, but it comes at a moment when the stakes couldn't be higher: almost a million young people are not in education, employment or training, while the UK needs 1.3 million new tradespeople within the decade.

"Yet our new report shows real cause for hope - nearly half of young people are now considering a trade. The ambition is there. What's missing is the opportunity. That's why today we're launching Trade Jumpstart, our package of support to help young people into the industry and get their business going. Done right, every young person we help could become a future business owner, a future employer, and part of the answer to the skills shortage holding our sector back.”

Pat McFadden, Work and Pensions Secretary, said: “This Skills Summit is exactly the kind of bold, practical initiative we need to support more young people into the trade industry, and I'm delighted Checkatrade have signed up to our Youth Guarantee. 

“Employers play a crucial role in opening doors for the next generation, and Checkatrade is showing what's possible when business truly steps up.

“Backed by our £2.5 billion investment in the Youth Guarantee and apprenticeship reform, partnerships like this are how we turn ambition into opportunity.”

The event builds on Checkatrade's partnership with Leeds Rhinos and the Leeds Rhino’s Foundation. Through the work of the Foundation, the partnership will offer support and workshops to young people across the city, designed to help them kickstart a career in the trades.

Jamie Jones-Buchanan, CEO of Leeds Rhinos, said: “At Leeds Rhinos, we believe sport has a responsibility to do more than entertain. We have a platform, a sense of place and a duty to help young people to be the best version of their fullest self. This partnership with Checkatrade is about turning good intent into tangible opportunity, connecting young people with the skills, confidence, employers and pathways available through our partners across Leeds.

“The trades should be seen for what they are: skilled, respected and essential careers that can give young people pride, purpose and a future. If we can use AMT Headingley to bring education, business, government and community together around that mission, then we maintain our vision of changing lives through the power of sport.”

Rob Holmes, Vice Principal, Leeds College of Building Yorkshire and Humber CTEC, said: "Qualifying is a huge milestone for our learners, but starting out on your own in the trades brings a whole new set of challenges - from winning that first job to managing the admin behind the scenes. Trade Jumpstart gives our graduates a genuine head start, with the credibility, tools and support network to get their business off the ground with confidence. As a CTEC representing Yorkshire and the Humber, we're proud to be the first college partnering with Checkatrade, and support its growth across the CTEC network so more learners across the country can benefit."

Aiste Krevneviciute, VP, Member Accession Marketing, Tide, said: "Starting a business in the trades takes skill, determination and the confidence to take that first step. But too often, new tradespeople are faced with unnecessary admin and financial complexity just as they are trying to build momentum. At Tide we are focused on making business banking easier for small businesses, including the next generation of tradespeople. Through our partnership with Checkatrade, we are proud to support learners graduating from Construction Technical Excellence Colleges as they move from training into running their own businesses. Whether they are opening a business account, managing invoices and expenses, or staying on top of tax obligations with tools such as free MTD-compatible accounting and automated filing for eligible sole traders, Tide is here to help them spend less time on admin and more time building their business. We are delighted to support Trade Jumpstart and the ambition to create more opportunities for people entering this vital sector.”

Gavin Crane, CEO, Band of Builders, said: "At Band of Builders, we've seen first hand the financial and emotional challenges that people entering our industry can face. Giving the next generation the right support from day one is one of the best investments we can make, not only in their future, but in the future of construction. Initiatives like Trade Jumpstart have the potential to remove barriers, build confidence and give new tradespeople the strongest possible foundation for a successful career. It aligns perfectly with the launch of our own Band of Builders Bursary, which has been created to ensure that financial hardship never prevents someone from starting a career in construction. Together, these kinds of initiatives will help create a stronger, more resilient workforce for the future."